Darkness Rising – Book Review

by | Aug 25, 2015 | Book Reviews, Reviews | 0 comments

darkness-risingDarkness Rising
Brian Moreland
Samhain Publishing
September 1st, 2015
Reviewed by Sheri White

Marty Weaver works as a groundskeeper at a local college, but his true passion is writing. He loves one of the students, Jennifer, and has even struck up a friendship with her. But having been bullied all his life, and even now by some of the college students who call him “Creepy Marty,” he is too afraid to let her know his feelings.

On a night with a full moon, Marty visits his mother’s grave, then heads to the lake to read his poems aloud where he can’t be disturbed or harassed. This is a regular ritual for Marty, and one he cherishes. Unfortunately, this night is different – there are others at the lake, and they are even worse than the bullies Marty deals with every day. These people are dangerous, and have terrible things in mind for Marty.

But there is a darkness inside Marty, a darkness even he didn’t realize he had. And everyone who has hurt him is going to experience it.

Darkness Rising is the first book I’ve read by Brian Moreland. I was so drawn into the story from the start that when Marty is set upon by his attackers, I was genuinely upset at what happened to him because he was such a sympathetic character. The author wrote him very well.

And while there is a lot of brutality throughout the book, it’s not gratuitous. There is also a love story intertwined with a ghost story, along with themes of revenge and retribution. I had a great time reading this book, immersing myself in it whenever possible during my day.

Also included is an intriguing excerpt from the author’s book The Devil’s Woods, published in 2013.

After reading Darkness Rising, I’m looking forward to checking out the rest of the author’s work.

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